Fiber optic cable assemblies with mechanically interlocking crimp bands and methods of making the assemblies

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable with one or more optical fibers attached to a housing. The housing includes a connector housing for a connector, a furcation housing for a furcation, and a splice housing for a mid-span cable splice. The furcation housing and the splice housing include a crimp body. The crimp body has a compression area and at least one hoop about the compression area defining a crimp zone. A crimp band is arranged for engaging the crimp zone and including an indentation defining a compression surface and a rib defining a rib interior. The crimp band and the crimp body cooperate to grip the strength element and resist cable pull off forces. A method of making the fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

A fiber optic cable assembly is disclosed, and more particularly, fiberoptic cable assemblies defined by attaching a fiber optic cable to ahousing is disclosed.

2. Technical Background

Optical fiber connectors have acquired an increasingly important role inthe field of telecommunications, frequently replacing existing copperconnectors. This trend has had a significant impact in all areas oftelecommunications, greatly increasing the amount of data that istransmitted. Further increase in the use of optical fiber connectors isforeseen, especially in metro and fiber-to-the-home applications, aslocal fiber networks are pushed to deliver an ever-increasing volume ofaudio, video, and data signals to residential and commercial customers.In addition, use of fiber in home and commercial premise networks forinternal data, audio, and video communications has begun, and isexpected to increase.

Optical fiber cable assemblies require the optical fibers to be alignedin the optical fiber connectors. Alignment issues can create opticalattenuation and signal strength may be significantly degraded wheremisalignment exists. Moreover, the cable must be firmly attached to theconnector. If the cable is pulled off the connectors, the optical fiberswill break and the cable assembly will be destroyed. The alignment andcable attachment features of conventional cable assemblies sufficientprotection against attenuation losses and do not provide sufficientresistance to cable pull off forces.

SUMMARY

A fiber optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic cable with oneor more optical fiber ribbons attached to a fiber optic connector. Theconnector includes a ferrule assembly and a crimp body with a fiberaccess aperture. The crimp body has a compression area and at least onehoop about the compression area defining a crimp zone. A crimp band isarranged for engaging the crimp zone and including an indentationdefining a compression surface and a rib defining a rib interior. Thecrimp band and the crimp body cooperate to grip the strength element andresist cable pull off forces.

A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable having afibrous strength element and a predetermined yield strength. The cableassembly also includes a housing with at least one end having the crimpzone to receive the fiber optic cable. The crimp zone includes at leastone compression area and at least one hoop about the compression area. Acrimp band is arranged for engaging the crimp zone and including anindentation defining a compression surface and a rib defining a ribinterior. The crimp band and the crimp body cooperate to grip thestrength element and resist a cable pull off force about equal to thepredetermined yield strength of the fiber optic cable. The housing mayinclude a connector housing, a splice housing and a furcation housing.

A method of assembling the fiber optic cable assembly involves attachinga fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector, the connector assemblyincluding a crimp body. The crimp body having at least one compressionarea and at least one hoop defining a crimp zone thereon. A sleeve formaking a crimp band form is crimped in a crimp tool having a crimp diethereon for making a rib and an indentation in the sleeve. A strengthelement is placed about the crimp zone. The tool is activated, crushingthe sleeve into the crimp band form thus mechanically interlocking thesleeve to the crimp zone.

Additional features are set forth in the detailed description whichfollows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart from that description or recognized by practicing the describedembodiments and the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the general description and thedetailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide anoverview or framework to understand the claims. The accompanyingdrawings are included to provide a further understanding, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with thedescription serve to explain principles and operation of theembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector sub-assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sleeve for making a crimp band;

FIGS. 3-5 show an optical fiber guide for the connector sub-assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 6-8 show another optical fiber guide insert for the connectorsub-assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary crimp body for attaching toa fiber optic cable having fibrous strength elements;

FIG. 9A is a detail view of the crimp body of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional perspective view of the insert of FIG. 5partially inserted into the crimp body of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional perspective view of the insert of FIG. 5fully seated into the crimp body of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partially cross sectioned detail of part of the connectorsub-assembly receiving an array of optical fibers through the opticalfiber guide insert;

FIG. 13 is a partially cross sectioned detail of the connectorsub-assembly n in FIG. 12 with part of the cable about part of the crimpbody and the sleeve positioned about the cable;

FIG. 14 is a partially cross sectioned detail of the connectorsub-assembly of FIG. 12 with part of the cable surrounding part of thecrimp body, and the sleeve positioned about both part of the cable andpart of the crimp body;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a crimp die for forming a crimp band;

FIG. 16 a side view of a manual crimping tool having a pair of the crimpdie of FIG. 15 attached;

FIG. 17 is a power crimping tool having a pair of the crimp die of FIG.15 attached;

FIG. 18 is the connector sub-assembly of FIG. 12 having a crimp bandformed by the crimp die of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a side cross section of the crimp band n in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a in partial cross section of a fiber optic connector havingthe connector sub-assembly of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a partial cross sectional detail of an interface of theconnector sub-assembly of FIG. 18, highlighting the relationship offeatures of the crimp body and the crimp band;

FIG. 22 is a close-up detail of the cross sectional view of FIG. 21,highlighting a high compression point;

FIG. 23 is an exemplary splice assembly for attaching to a fiber opticcable having fibrous strength elements; and

FIG. 24 is an exemplary furcation assembly for attaching to a fiberoptic cable having fibrous strength elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A crimp body is disclosed that cooperates with a crimp band forincreased strength. The crimp body may be included in a fiber opticconnector assembly, a fiber optic cable assembly, a splice assembly, ora furcation assembly. The crimp body has features that interlock withfeatures on the crimp band to crimp a cable having fibrous strengthelements to a suitable sub-assembly. The crimp body further may includean access aperture for optical fiber handling during assembly of thefiber optic cable assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, a fiber optic cable sub-assembly 10 includesat least a boot 11, a fiber optic cable 12, a crimp band 20 and aconnector sub-assembly 30 (FIG. 1). Connector sub-assembly 30 includesat least an optical fiber guide insert 40, a crimp body 50, a fiberoptic ferrule assembly 60 and an inner housing 70. Ferrule assembly 60may include a round spring 62, a spring centering cuff 64, a ferruleboot 66 and a multi-fiber ferrule 68. Ferrule assembly 60 may be securedto an end of crimp body 50 by inner housing 70.

Boot 11 may be adapted, for example, to translate axially about cable 12and provides strain relief to cable sub-assembly 10. Boot 11 may be, forexample, a pre-molded boot that may be secured to cable 12 and connectorsub-assembly 30 using an adhesive. Alternatively, boot 11 may be anover-molded boot that may be applied to cable 12 and connectorsub-assembly 30 using an over-molding process. In exemplary embodiments,boot 11 may be a heat-shrinkable boot made from, for example, apolyolefin.

Cable 12 may include, for example, a round cable jacket 14, but mayalternately include a square, rectangular, oval or dog-bone shaped cablejacket. Cable 12 may include, for example, 12 loose optical fibershaving at least a portion of the fibers converted into, for example, aribbon 18. As an alternative, cable 12 may include optical fiber ribbon.Cable 12 has a fibrous strength element 16 that may be selected from thegroup consisting of fiberglass, aramid fibers or yarns, steel mesh andcarbon fibers. In exemplary embodiments, strength element 16 includes2000-3000 decitex fiberglass fibers.

Crimp band 20 may include, for example, a flare 22, an indentation 24and a rib 26. Crimp band 20 may be formed, for example, from a sleeve 19(FIG. 2). Sleeve 19 may be generally tubular having a length and a widthand a wall thickness. The wall thickness may be from about 0.25millimeter (mm) to about 0.75 mm, and in an exemplary embodiment thewall thickness may be about 0.35 mm. Sleeve 19 has a length from about8.5 mm to about 9.5 mm, and in an exemplary embodiment has a length ofabout 9.0 mm. Sleeve 19 has an external width, or diameter, from about8.2 mm to about 9.2 mm. Sleeve 19 may be made from a malleable metalalloy selected from the group consisting of brass, bronze, steel, lead,copper, aluminum, tin, zinc, iron, and nickel, though other malleablematerials are possible.

Insert 40 (FIGS. 1 and 3-5) may be inserted into crimp body 50 and maybe adapted to receive at least one optical fiber and may receive ribbon18, for example, having 12 fibers. Alternate embodiments of insert 40may include, for example, insert 40 a (FIGS. 6-8) adapted to receive atleast one optical fiber and may receive a ribbon having four opticalfibers. Wherever possible, the disclosure will refer to elements commonto both insert 40 and insert 40 a together for clarity.

Insert 40, 40 a may include, for example, a first end 41, 41 a, athrough passage 42, 42 a, a second end 43, 43 a, a transition surface44, 44 a, a fiber entrance 45, 45 a, at least one contact surface 46, 46a, a fiber exit 47, 47 a, at least one alignment slot 48, 48 a, and anabutment surface 49, 49 a. Through passage 42, 42 a passes from entrance45, 45 a on first end 41, 41 a to exit 47, 47 a on second end 43, 43 a.Through passage 42, 42 a has a first height and first width at entrance45, 45 a and a second height and a second width at exit 47, 47 a. Theheight of through passage 42 may change from about 1.9 mm to about 0.7mm, and the heights of through passage 47 a may change from about 1.9 mmto about 0.6 mm. The widths of through passage 47 may change from about3.5 mm to about 3.1 mm, and the widths of through passage 47 a maychange from about 3.5 mm to about 1.1 mm.

Surface 44, 44 a may be adjacent to the first end 41, 41 a, and may be asubstantially tapered, or frustoconical, surface. Abutment surface 49,49 a may be adjacent to the surface 44, 44 a, opposite first end 41, 41a. Surface 49, 49 a may include an insertion stop. The at least onealignment slot 48, 48 a, for rotationally aligning inserts 40, 40 awithin crimp body 50, extends longitudinally along the exterior ofinserts 40, 40 a, substantially from surface 49, 49 a to second end 43,43 a. In exemplary embodiments insert 40, 40 a may include two alignmentslots 48, 48 a.

The at least one contact surface 46, 46 a may extend longitudinallyalong the exterior of inserts 40, 40 a, substantially from surface 49,49 a to second end 43, 43 a. In exemplary embodiments, insert 40, 40 amay include two surfaces 46, 46 a. In further exemplary embodiments,insert 40, 40 a may include four surfaces 46, 46 a. The at least onesurface 46, 46 a may include a taper to facilitate, for example, afriction fit. Insert 40, 40 a may include a thermoplastic elastomer withShore D hardness from about 70 to about 90. Exemplary embodiments mayinclude Hytrel®, available from DuPont™, a thermoplastic elastomer withShore D hardness of about 82. However, other suitable elastomericpolymers may be used.

Crimp body 50 (FIG. 9) may include, for example, a transition surface51, an insert receiving area 52, and a crimp zone 53. Zone 53 mayinclude at least one compression area 54, a rearward step 55 a, aforward step 55 b and at least one hoop 56. Crimp body 50 may furtherinclude at least one alignment key 57 located within receiving area 52,an abutment surface 59 and a fiber access aperture 58.

Crimp body 50 may be adapted to, for example, mechanically interlock tocrimp band 20 for securing cable 12 on an end, and may be furtheradapted to receive the inner housing 70 (see FIG. 1) to an opposite end.Receiving area 52 may be adapted to receive insert 40, 40 a. At least aportion of receiving area 52 may include a tapered interior surface thatcooperates with surface 46, 46 a of insert 40, 40 a. The at least onealignment key 57 may associate with the at least one alignment slot 48,48 a found on insert 40, 40 a. The at least one alignment key 57 may beconfigured to interfere with the at least one alignment slot 48, 48 a tocause a tight interference fit between insert 40, 40 a and crimp body50. Surface 59 may be located adjacent to surface 51. When inserts 40,40 a are inserted into crimp body 50, surface 49 may substantially abutsurface 59, stopping any further insertion. The surface 44, 44 a foundon inserts 40, 40 a conforms to surface 51, creating a substantiallycontiguous transition surface for easing strength elements 16 from cable12 onto crimp zone 53 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

Compression area 54 may receive a compressive force from crimp band 20.In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one hoop 52 may be locatedbetween at least a pair of compression areas 54. In yet other exemplaryembodiments, multiple hoops 52 may be located among multiple compressionareas 54. The at least one hoop 52 can have an external width, ordiameter, which may be greater than the external width of thecompression areas 54. The external width of the hoop 52 may be, forexample, about 7.90 mm. The external width of the compression areas 54may be, for example, about 7.70 mm. Hoop 52 may include slanted sidewalls at an angle of about 135 degrees relative to a longitudinal axisof the crimp body 50. Rearward step 53 and forward step 55 may also haveslanted side walls at an angle of about 135 degrees and may have a widthof about 7.90 mm.

In other exemplary embodiments, bodies or housings having crimp zone 53may include, for example, splice assemblies 130 (FIG. 23) and cablefurcations 140 (FIG. 24). Splice assembly 130 includes a splice housing132 having one or more crimp zones 53 for securing strength element 16of cable 12, using sleeve 19 for forming crimp band 20. Other cableshaving fibrous strength elements may be suitable. Splice assembly 130may be used, for example, to repair a severed cable to substantially therated yield strength of the previously unsevered cable. Cable furcation140 may include a furcation housing 142 having at least one crimp zone53 for securing strength element 16. Cable furcation 140 may be attachedto, for example, a wall, shelf, pole, etc., using an attachment ear 148.Alternately, cable furcation 140 may be attached using, for example, aclamp or a bar.

Access aperture 58 (FIG. 9A) can be a substantially lateral passagewaythrough crimp body 50, near an end, for example, opposite crimp zone 53.Access aperture 58 may include a first width, d1, and a second width,d2. Access aperture 58 includes an aspect ratio (AR), defined as theratio between the first width and the second width, and quantitativelydefined as d1:d2 (d1 divided by d2), thus d1:d2=AR. The AR ratio may befrom about 0.5 to about 1.4. In exemplary embodiments, the AR is about1.33.

Access aperture 58 permits manipulation of optical fibers duringconnector assembly. A tool, for example, a tweezers, pick, finger, etc.,may be applied through the access aperture 58, utilizing a distance,delta (Δ), to guide, correct, push, or otherwise manipulate the ribbon18 as it is inserted through the crimp body 50. Delta is defined as aworking distance on each side of ribbon 18 for manipulating ribbon 18during installation. Ribbon 18 has a nominal ribbon width (W). In theembodiment illustrated, d3 equals about half of d1, and d4 equals abouthalf of the ribbon width. Delta may be quantitatively defined as thedifference between d3 and d4, thus ½ (d1)=d3, ½ (W)=d4, and d3−d4=Δ. TheΔ may be from about 0.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. In exemplary embodiments, Δmay be from about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm.

Crimp body 50 may be made from, for example, a UV stabilized, glassfilled polyetherimide thermoplastic having a Rockwell hardness valuefrom about 100 to about 120, such as ULTEM 2210, available from SaudiBasic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Innovative Plastics, Houston, Tex.However, other suitable materials may also be used. For example,stainless steel or other suitable metals or plastics may be used.

In an exemplary embodiment, steps for assembling connector sub-assembly30 may include axially assembling ferrule assembly 60 and securingferrule assembly 60 to an end of crimp body 50 by placing inner housing70 about ferrule assembly 60 and attaching inner housing 70 to crimpbody 50. Upon assembly of connector sub-assembly 30, but prior toinstallation of the insert 40, 40 a, an adhesive such as an epoxy resinmay be introduced into the rear of ferrule 68. A syringe or some othersimilar adhesive delivery system may be used to enter the receiving area52 and axially traverse the length of crimp body 50 and into ferruleassembly 60. A controlled amount of adhesive may be placed within therear of ferrule 78. After the adhesive is placed, the delivery system isremoved from crimp body 50 and insert 40, 40 a may be installed withinthe receiving area 52. In an exemplary embodiment, insert 40 is insertedinto insert receiving area 56.

After installation of an insert 40, 40 a, ribbon 18 is inserted throughinsert 40, 40 a and into crimp body 50 (FIG. 12). For clarity, innerhousing 70 is not visible. Access aperture 58 presents an opportunity tomanipulate the ribbon 18 to ensure proper propagation of the fibersthrough crimp body 50, and into ferrule assembly 30. Once the ribbon 18is properly seated in ferrule 68, ribbon 18 may be secured in placeusing such a curing method as ultraviolet light or laser tacking and theferrule processed, for example, polished.

Strength element 16 may be placed about crimp zone 53 (FIG. 13). Sleeve19, having been previously threaded onto cable 12, may be axially movedalong cable 12 until it is in place about both strength element 16 andcrimp zone 53 (FIG. 14). Once sleeve 19 is in place the connectorsub-assembly 30 may be placed onto a tool for crimping.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, steps for assembling connector subassembly 30 may include a free assembly. The free assembly may include,but is not limited to, inserting insert 40, 40 a into crimp body 50,threading ribbon 18 through insert 40, 40 a and crimp body 50, exposinga length of ribbon 18. Strength element 16 may be placed about crimpzone 53 and sleeve 19 axially moved along cable 12 until it is aboutboth strength element 16 and crimp zone 53, and crimped in place. Inother words, ribbon 18 protrudes from crimp body 50 and strength element16 is substantially crimped to crimp zone 53 before ferrule assembly 60or inner housing 70 is installed. A tool, for example, a tweezers fittedwith a pair of elastomeric pads having a Shore A hardness value of atleast from about 60 to about 90, for example, silicone pads or rubberpads, may be fitted into access aperture 50. A sufficient compressiveforce may be applied to the tool to lock ribbon 18 between theelastomeric pads, enabling processing, for example, stripping, cutting,etc., of ribbon 18 prior to installing ferrule assembly 60 and innerhousing 70. Locking ribbon 18 during installation of ferrule assembly 60and inner housing 70 generally stabilizes ribbon 18 and substantiallyinhibits one or more of either: axial buckling of ribbon 18 duringhandling and ribbon processing; withdrawal of ribbon 18 into cable 12during handling and ribbon processing; or pushing out of further amountsof ribbon 18 from cable 12 during handling and processing. Ferruleassembly 60 may be installed as an assembly, or each component 62, 64,66, and 68 may be installed individually.

A crimp die 80 may be used to crimp sleeve 19 about strength element 16and crimp body 50 (FIGS. 15-17) Crimp die 80 has at least oneindentation surface 82, at least one rib relief 84, at least one lowerridge relief 86, at least one upper ridge relief 87, and at least oneflare relief 88. In exemplary embodiments, crimp die 80 may have fourindentation surfaces. In exemplary embodiments, rib relief 84 is locatedin a longitudinal space between two indentation surfaces 84. Inexemplary embodiments, lower ridge relief 86 is located in an arcuatefeature of crimp die 80. When two crimp dies 80 are placed together suchthat the lower ridge relief areas 86 on the respective dies 80 areadjacent, the arcuate features complement each other to define anorifice for crimping sleeve 19 into crimp band 20. Crimp die 80 may bemade from hard metal, for example, tool steel, or a ceramic, forexample, a carbide, though other materials are possible. Crimp dies 80are affixed to a tool designed to apply a force to bring the two dies 80together. Two tools suitable to receive crimp die 80 may be a manualcrimping tool 90 (FIG. 16), or, for example, a power crimp tool 100(FIG. 17), available from Schleuniger Inc, Manchester, N.H., thoughother tools are possible.

During a crimping operation, indentation surface 82 may encounter sleeve19. Under a compressive load, sleeve 19 may be deformed from opposingsides at the same time. The at least one indentation surface 82 pressesthe material of sleeve 19 down onto the strength element 16 and into thecompression area 54. Material not captured by indentation surfaces 82,for example, that material underneath rib relief 84, lower ridge relief86, upper ridge relief 87, and flare relief 88 may or may not compress,but rather may be left in relief (FIG. 18).

After the crimping operation (FIGS. 18-19), crimp band 20 may include atleast one flare 22 defining at least one flare interior 23, at least twoindentations 24, defining at least two compression surfaces 25,positioned longitudinally on an outer surface of crimp band 20 andseparated by a distance. The distance may be from about 1.0 mm to about2.2 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance may be from about 1.75mm to about 1.95 mm. In further exemplary embodiments the distance isabout 1.85 mm. Rib 26, defining at least one rib interior 27, may belocated within at least part of the distance. At least one ridge 28,defining at least one ridge interior 29, may be on the outer surface ofcrimp band 20. Exemplary embodiments include at least four indentations24. In alternate embodiments, a distance may exist between additionalpairs of longitudinally adjacent indentations, wherein a rib similar torib 26 may be formed. In exemplary embodiments, two or four pairs ofdiametrically opposed indentations 24 may be present.

Fiber optic cable assembly 110 (FIG. 20) may include crimped connectorsub-assembly 30 (FIG. 18). Boot 11 may be placed about the cable 12 andthe connector sub-assembly 30. Crimp band 20 is substantiallymechanically interlocked with crimp body 50, trapping strength element16. A cross sectional detail of crimp band 20, strength element 16 andcrimp body 50, highlights the relationship of features of the crimp body50 and the crimp band 20 (FIG. 21). By way of explanation, a cable pulloff force, represented by force vector 112, is applied to the strengthelement 16.

When tension is placed on fibrous strength element 16, features of thecrimp band 20 act to prevent breakage and/or pullout. Flares 22 providea gradual transition from a compressed state to a free state to thestrength element 16. Compression surfaces 25 pressing into compressionareas 54 provide the greatest amount of initial compressive force to thestrength element 16. In the event that some slippage occurs, usuallyfrom about 850 Newtons (N) to about 890 N, the crimp band 20 willtranslate axially in the direction of the tensile force vector 112,encountering hoop 56 mechanically interlocked to rib 24. Crimp band 20will stop translating at this point. The fibers of strength element 16will bunch within internal channel 25 under rib 24, increasing theamount of cable pull off force that may be endured. Any further slippageis prevented by redirecting the force represented by force vector 112,pushing outward on the interior of crimp band 20, causing an outwarddeflection of the crimp band 20 as the force increases. The redirectionof force creates a compressive counter-force, represented by forcevectors 114, concentrating the compressive force at point 112, justprior to crimp band 20 deflecting sufficiently to slip over hoop 56 orbreakage of the strength element 16 (FIG. 22).

Results of an exemplary test using a conceptual mock-up of crimp body 50having crimp band 20 applied are described. The conceptual mock-up was asolid, lathe turned test sample of ULTEM 1000, a non-glass filledthermoset polymer, having the geometry of the crimp zone 53 of crimpbody 50. The minimum requirement of the test was for the crimp body 50and the crimp band 20 to resist a cable pull off force of about 445 N(about 100 pounds-force (lbf)). The test objective was for the crimpbody 50 and the crimp band 20 to resist a cable pull off force of about667 N (about 150 lbf). The individual forces at failure from the testwere from about 1000 N to about 1200 N (about 225 lbf to about 270 lbf).The average failure force was from about 1068 N to about 1112 N (about240 lbf and about 250 lbf). An exemplary test using a conceptual mock-upof the crimp body 50 resulted in an average failure force of about 1082N (about 243 lbf).

Another exemplary test using crimp bodies 50 made from, for example,ULTEM 2210, exceeded a cable pull off force of about 667 N. The cablepull off forces resulting from the test were from about 890 N to about1780 N (about 200 lbf to about 400 lbf). The individual forces atfailure were observed to be about 1179 N to 1223 N (about 265 lbf toabout 275 lbf). Yet another exemplary test resulted in an average forceat failure of about 1209 Newtons (about 272 lbf).

Results as disclosed may provide that crimp band 20 cooperating withcrimp body 50 enables utilization of such less expensive fibrousstrength elements as fiberglass instead of such expensive materials asaramid yarns or glass reinforced plastics.

Crimp zone 53 may be scaled to accommodate any cable of any diameterthat has a fibrous strength element. Furthermore, crimp zone 53 may beadapted to transfer a rated yield strength of any suitable cable to anybody having crimp zone 53, for example, creating a transition from cableto crimp body that may have a similarly rated yield strength. Forexample, cables having yield ratings from about 890 N to about 2670 N(about 200 lbf to about 600 lbf) may be secured to suitable housingshaving suitably scaled crimp zones 53, using suitably scaled crimp bands20. The yield strength of the cable may be effectively transferred intothe housing, resulting in a cable to junction that may be as resistantto a pull force as the original cable.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatany particular order be inferred.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosed fiber optic connector clip. Sincemodifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of thedisclosure may occur to persons skilled in the art, the disclosureshould be construed to include everything within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A fiber optic connector assembly, comprising: a fiber optic cable,the fiber optic cable having at least an optical fiber ribbon and atleast one strength element; a fiber optic connector, the connectorcomprising; at least one ferrule assembly; a crimp body, the crimp bodyincluding at least one compression area and at least one hoop about thecompression area defining a crimp zone; and a crimp band, the crimp bandarranged for engaging the crimp zone and including at least oneindentation defining at least one compression surface and at least onerib defining at least one rib interior, wherein the crimp band and thecrimp body cooperate to grip the strength element and resist a cablepull off force.
 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the crimpband and the crimp body resist a cable pull off force from about 200 lbfto about 400 lbf.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein thecrimp band and the crimp body resist a cable pull off force from about265 lbf to about 275 lbf.
 4. The connector assembly of claim 1, whereinthe crimp band and the crimp body resist a cable pull off force of about272 lbf.
 5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the rib interiorgenerally surrounds the hoop.
 6. The connector assembly of claim 1,wherein the compression surface generally compresses the compressionarea.
 7. A fiber optic cable assembly, the assembly comprising: a fiberoptic cable, the cable having a fibrous strength element and apredetermined yield strength; a housing, the housing having at least oneend adapted to receive the fiber optic cable, the at least one endhaving a crimp zone, the crimp zone including at least one compressionarea and at least one hoop about the compression area; and a crimp band,the crimp band arranged for engaging the crimp zone and including atleast one indentation defining at least one compression surface and atleast one rib defining at least one rib interior, the crimp band and thecrimp body cooperating to grip the strength element and resist apredetermined cable pull off force, the cable yield strength definingthe cable pull off force.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, the predeterminedcable pull off force is from about 200 lbf to about 600 lbf.
 9. Theassembly of claim 7, the housing comprising a furcation housing.
 10. Theassembly of claim 7, the housing comprising a splice housing.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10, the splice housing having a crimp zone on twoends.
 12. A method of assembling a fiber optic connector assembly,comprising; providing a fiber optic cable, the cable including astrength element; providing a fiber optic connector, the connectorincluding at least a crimp body, the crimp body having at least onecompression area and at least one hoop defining a crimp zone thereon;providing a sleeve for making a crimp band form; providing a crimp toolhaving a crimp die thereon for making at least one rib and at least oneindentation; installing the cable onto the connector assembly, whereinthe strength element is placed about the crimp zone; moving the sleeveto be about the strength element and the crimp zone; placing the sleevewithin the crimp tool, and activating the tool crushing the sleeve intothe crimp band form; and mechanically interlocking the sleeve to thecrimp zone.
 13. The method of claim 12, including the step of providinga boot.
 14. The method of claim 13, including the step of applying apull force on the cable, causing the crimp band form to pull towards thecable and causing the crimp band form and the hoop to apply compressiveforces to the strength member.